History

The School of Education at Duquesne University has a rich history of preparing educational leaders since its founding in 1929. Prior to 1929, teacher preparation courses were offered through a department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In that year, the newly organized School of Education granted its first degree in secondary education. Throughout the years, the range of program options has expanded. Our graduates continue to provide high-quality instruction and services to children and youth in educational settings and communities in Pennsylvania and across the nation in their roles as teachers, school psychologists, administrators, counselors, professors, and other educational professionals. Ours is a proud tradition of preparing educational leaders and conducting scholarship for schools in the Spiritan Tradition of Caring. With a profound concern for moral and spiritual values and a deep commitment to helping every student achieve, the School of Education builds legacies by transforming lives. These qualities make us different and proud to be the Duquesne University School of Education.

Given its focus on academic excellence, the School of Education is committed to maintaining its national accreditation. In 2006, we were nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) based on a process of benchmarking the quality of our educator preparation programs through voluntary, external review based on national standards of excellence. In 2012, we engaged in an extensive continuing accreditation review and were granted full national accreditation through 2019. We engaged in the review process again in 2018, and our full national accreditation was renewed through 2024. All educator preparation programs are currently accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Additionally, all educator preparation programs are recognized and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). A major requirement of the continuing accreditation process involves each certification program being reviewed by the respective Specialty Professional Associations (SPAs) based on national standards for the discipline. Thus, many of our certification programs also have national recognition based on the evidence we gather to demonstrate the positive impact our graduates have on students, clients, and in the communities in which they work.

Duquesne School of Education Mission

The mission of the School of Education, as a renowned learning community for the mind, heart, and spirit, is to guide the development of moral and ethical educational leaders, to advance innovation in teaching and scholarship, and to foster social responsibility. Within the context of the Spiritan identity and University vision, we will accomplish our mission by exemplifying the scholarly and ethical standards of our profession as we provide meaningful learning experiences, support scholarship, and sustain mutually beneficial partnerships.

Duquesne Vision Statement

To be a national leader in research and practice that is steeped in the Spiritan Tradition of Caring, dedicated to social justice and equity, and that transcends the boundaries between schools, the community, and higher education.

Duquesne School of Education Values

The School of Education is committed to, and is aligned with, Duquesne University's Strategic Initiatives:

  • Excellence in Teaching and Research [DUSI #1]
  • Service to the Individual, Community, Nation, and the World [DUSI #2]
  • Fostering collaboration among disciplines within and outside the school [DUSI #3]
  • Fostering a climate that promotes social justice and equity [DUSI #4]
  • Thinking creatively and entrepreneurially [DUSI #5]

Identity

Educational Leaders

We’re preparing the future leaders of the profession by:

Creating an educational environment that recognizes and supports the self-identified needs of the marginalized in our society, and also fosters the ability of our students to do the same.

Modeling and advocating ethical leadership, creating curriculum and educational experiences using evidence-based means in an environment that fosters social responsibility.

Modeling and advocating ethical and just behavior toward all human beings while establishing the foundation for a continual path of transformation of the self, the profession, and the community.

Scholarship for Schools

Our scholarship informs educational practice and policy by:

Generating, disseminating and utilizing scholarship for and with community agencies, and schools, with an emphasis on improving the lives of marginalized populations.

Spiritan Tradition of Caring

We serve God by serving students and the larger community through:

Positively influencing the beliefs and attitudes of our learners, our influence empowers others to act in ways that lead to positive outcomes for marginalized populations within our community and beyond.

Fostering a respect for the dignity and rights of all human beings through modeling, exposure to and engagement with our community that results in reciprocal change.

Intentional efforts to teach our students to value and live the Spiritan Tradition of Caring.

Duquesne University's Strategic Initiatives (DUSI)

  1. Duquesne will identify bold pathways to offer students the knowledge and skills they will need for productive and fulfilling lives and careers in the 21st century.
  2. Duquesne will become the region's flagship institution for community engagement through mutually beneficial partnerships that advance the city, the region and the world.
  3. Duquesne's academic programs will transcend traditional boundaries, positioning it as a leader in interdisciplinary and interprofessional programs.
  4. Duquesne will create a vibrant campus community that fosters the achievements of its talented faculty, students and staff.
  5. Duquesne will encourage an entrepreneurial spirit that will allow it to creatively steward University assets, adapt to changing environments and enhance its financial vitality to fulfill its mission for a new era.

Academic Policies

For policies and procedures specific to School of Education programs and Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines, current students should refer to the handbooks available on the School of Education's Intranet pages (e.g., Leading Teacher Program Handbook, Student Teaching Handbook).

Admission

Please visit the individual graduate program's web page on the School of Education's web pages for admission requirements.

Graduate-Level Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Teacher Certification
MAT Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)
MAT Secondary Education (7-12)

Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Child Psychology
Education Administration K-12
Instructional Technology
Reading & Literacy Education
School Counseling
School Counseling for Certified Teachers
School Supervision
Special Education PreK-12, Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities

Master of Science (M.S.)

Addiction Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Higher Education Administration
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling

Doctoral Degrees

Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Ed.D. Educational Technology
Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision 
Ph.D. School Psychology
Ph.D. Special Education
Psy.D. School Psychology

Other Licensure/Certification Programs

Autism Endorsement
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Verified Course Sequence
Education Administration (K-12)
School Supervision
Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC)
Reading Specialist Certificate
School Counseling
TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)